Where are you located, do you have any preferred colors, do you have any particular style in mind, and would you be willing to add some landscaping?

Once you figure out the style you want, you need new light fixtures. Replace or paint the pots at the front door for some color, like turquoise. I think I would paint the shutters a cream color. I don't think you need a new front door, just paint it too, maybe a pale yellow.

I would say I like english cottage look. With some traditional and eclectic look. I like the carriage house style also. I would be willing to do landscape

What pale yellow and cream do u have in mind you thinking??? I am not big on that stained glass on my front door???

I would do a black satin enamel on doors and shutters, trying to make trim colors blend in with brick or stone rarely works, and black works with just about everything, and can really add class if a real craftsman does it. The I would paint the lights with real emulsified antique bronze paint and apply antique patina on it

I think you need some landscaping in front of that massive brick wall. Pots on the porch with flowers would help too.

I really need help picking out lights Some if the post lights are damaged. Can someone show me a light fixture tat will work on my house

First of all I'll throw in a bunch of pictures:

Here's a recolor for you. I like the color of the windows, so I did not change it, a fresh coat of paint will do. I think the shutters are too dark and your whole facade would freshen up by painting them a soft tan/greige (or a blue/green if you dare). Pick a few shades lighter than the window frames in the same row of paint chips.
I used the Hinkley post light from the picture above, because it will give a more contemporary look (plus I would not use a tapered shape). Plant a climber in front of the low wall and attach horizontal wires for the plant to be guided on; a rambler rose, grape, flowering quince, raspberry, whatever suits your taste and climate.

I say it all the time, but those shutters are wrong on those windows. Consider removing them & you'll see your house in a whole new way. What is the space between the wall & the house? Is it used at all? Maybe you could add a pergola and make a courtyard there. I would use the brick "light posts" for column support. I think this would add height to the entrance. I'm not a fan of that pair of lights. If you want to keep them lights there, I would put them on tall posts. Are you planning to change the side-lights or just the front door?

Your house is awesome! It looks like lots room and I love the wide walkway and roomy reception area. Is the color on the door/sidelights/shutters deep olive? If so, it is GREAT for your front door!

I think your main issues are: correct lighting, establish a color palette, and accents.

Keep the front door and sidelights the existing wonderful deep color. Paint the shutters a mid-tone gray-green one or two chips down from the door color.

Install spotlights at ceiling of porch. Replace the post lights with bigger and bolder eye catching fixtures. Install path lights along walkway. Install up lights that illuminate the light posts, and all along the brick face.

Install an accent such as two tall, bright planters at each sidelight stems or silk palms. They can be a lime color or light olive or ocean blue.

Your house is a wonderful canvas to be bold with lighting and accents! Have fun with it!

Thanks Lisa. Do have a color name in mind

Wonderful House! I suggest that you think in the direction of Prairie and Ranch style. Your house can be called a Ranch officially. The long low elevation and the broad eave hipped roof are signatures of Prairie style and evolved into the Ranch design through the 20th century.

Also, consider removing the shutters. As a rule of thumb, imagine if you can swing the shutters closed, would they cover the whole window. If not, they don't belong.

Here's a similar house to yours. Take note of their landscaping.


Hope that helps a little. Cheers!

Hi Tracy,

I personally love the style of your home! The long lines are beautiful, and hip roofed homes, are a particular favorite of mine. The upgrades that should be done are small, so here goes. One, at some point it looks as though the home had double doors. I personally love double doors, so I would not have taken them off, but I do think a new front door would enhance the look of this beautiful home. Take a look, here on Houzz, at the Doors4Home.com site, look at Walnut Entry Door Model # A79P-ER. I think it would be appropriate for your home, and possibly the English look you're after. I also think your sidelights are wrong, and not appropriate to the style. Consider beveled diamond shape glass in those sidelights, or panes with beveled glass in them. Understated elegance is appropriate to that look. Also, you have a lot of lamps going on, and I noted specifically, the two by the entrance to the door, appear too large. I also think that the porch lamp immediately to the left of the door is incorrect. Consider looking at Bevolo gas and electric lamps @ Bevolo.com. Truly, some of the most beautiful forged lamps made! I know you'll find a style that you love! Paint, I would use a slate blue, to set off the brick, or a buttery cream trim, to make the brick pop. Lastly, landscape along the low wall by the walk. Use low shrubs, climbing tea roses, or an evergreen vine for a grounding effect. That is a wide expanse of brick, to have virtually no plants other than the grass. Tracy, your home is beautiful as is, it is obvious that it is a quality home, and I know that you'll make choices appropriate to your taste, which is how it always should be. The best to you in your quest for perfection!

I would start with an easy, inexpensive change by aligning all the plant pots on either side the "gate/light" posts and paint them a lovely yellow

I think Steven Randel nailed it, your house could become a really awesome example of prairie style. Researching Frank Lloyd Wright would probably give you a lot of ideas on paint colors, lighting and landscape styles.

I would replace the door, light posts, and shutters. Your door is dated and the side lights. The lights on the steps should be low and actually much smaller than the one you pick to put next to your door. What about a medium teal color for your door, and deeper color teal for your shutters. I would pick a stainless color for your lights. I would pick a nice big light for the door, then smaller flat ones with a soft glow for the steps.

Your pots are all different sizes. Buy two that are the same size. I like the one you have close to your door for size and shape. Fill with colorful flowers and vines. Clean up your shrubs and add some rocks or bark. The one shrub looks like it is too big and may be covering your window.